The final 12-man Silverbacks roster is already in Bamako, Mali with hopes of making an impression as the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers tip off. The squad consists of 10 local players and two foreign-based players; Brandon Sebirumbi and Joshua Johnson.
Joshua Johnson who plays for Ipswich Town will be making his first appearance for the Uganda since the FIBA AfroBasket 2015 and is confident the squad is capable of making things work.
“I am proud of how far we have come as Uganda. There is a very big improvement. The locally based players have improved so much. As a team I think that we have to go to Mali knowing that we deserve to be here and that we did not come here by wild card or as a replacement but we got here because we deserve to,” Johnson stated
Coach Mandy Juruni’s men are in Pool B and will open their campaign on Friday against 2015 African champions Nigeria before taking on hosts Mali on Saturday. The Silverbacks then face arch-rivals Rwanda on Sunday. Uganda will only be battling not to finish last as the top three pool teams will advance to the second round of the competition.
Silverbacks Squad; Jimmy Enabu, Joshua Johnson, Robinson Odoch Opong, Syrus Kiviiri, Mark Opio, Samuel Mukooza, Stephen Omony, Joseph Ikong, James Okello, Stanley Mugerwa, Stanley Ocitti and Brandon Sebirumbi.
Silverbacks World Cup qualifiers
Friday, February 23: Uganda vs Nigeria, 6:30pm
Saturday, February 24: Uganda vs Mali, 9pm
Sunday, February 25: Uganda vs Rwanda, 6:30pm